Spencer Matthews' insight into how to succeed at Sunderland Business Week

From Made in Chelsea to marathon training and the challenge of going against the grain with a new drinks brand, Spencer Matthews spoke of his journey and growth at an inspirational talk at Sunderland Business Week.

Returning for a sixth year, the annual SunFest week of presentations, panel discussions, talks, networking, workshops and more has been running all this week from October 12-16.

One of the highlight talks saw TV personality and entrepreneur Spencer Matthews on the stage at The Fire Station.

With Spencer a high-profile figure, as well an endurance athlete, health advocate and founder and CEO of CleanCo, a global non-alcoholic spirits brand, which he launched in 2019, there was much ground to cover.

He’s achieved much since his days of quaffing champagne on the King’s Road for reality TV, but is still well-known for his time on Channel 4 show Made in Chelsea and the businessman spoke on how it’s all part of the journey.

“It can feel slightly frustrating as life is for living and growing and moving forward,” he said when asked about still being associated with a show he hasn’t appeared on for over a decade.

“It can be a double-edged sword as at the time the show was new and exciting to be a part of, but I probably acted in ways I regret now and that follows you around.”

He added: “I try not to focus or spend too much time thinking about how people perceive me and I try and focus on doing that I hope can make a difference and, in some places, inspire people to get out and be healthier. It’s how I choose the work I attempt to do now: will this have a positive effect, do I really care about it?”

It was during those years in his early 20s, working as a city trader before appearing on TV, that Spencer began drinking heavily, a problem that would eventually set him on a path to a more balanced life.

Today, Spencer’s CleanCo brand, inspired by his sobriety, which offers alcohol-free alternatives to gin, rum, tequila, whiskey and vodka, is a hit.

Speaking about his days working as a city trader, he said: “I wasn’t a good employee because I didn’t love the idea of what I was doing. It didn’t make me bounce out of bed in the morning, I always knew I wanted to do my own thing I just didn’t know what.”

As the years went on, Spencer stopped drinking but would still visit bars with his friends and noticed a gap in the market for an alcohol-free alternative.

Launching a brand was not without its difficulties and challenges, including a major distribution deal which ‘wildly failed.’

However, today, it’s the largest independent alcohol-free spirits brand in both the UK and the US.

Another big challenge he’s navigated successfully is becoming an endurance athlete, holding three Guinness World Records, including completing Ironman-distance triathlons across all seven continents in just 21 days.

“I believe life is for living,” said Spencer. “I’d love to be 80-years-old, chatting to my grandkids about incredible things that few people have seen and done. It’s part of exploring and it’s ambitious and I just really enjoy it.

“People focus on the pain and say ‘oh it must have been so hard’, but it’s one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. Despite being difficult and challenging, they’re very special record attempts, they’re special to me at least.”

Among the busy week, highlights also included a talk from two-time paralympic gold medallist Jonnie Peacock.